Cochlear Implant Frequency Mapping With Gradual Recipient Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical prostheses, such as cochlear implants, often require recipients to adapt to unnatural frequency-to-place assignments, leading to uncomfortable and unnatural sound perception, especially for those with residual hearing or previous acoustic experience.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method for transitioning from an initial frequency-to-place assignment that matches the natural cochlear map to a target assignment optimized for the recipient's preferences, using incremental, recipient-specific steps over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional medical prostheses use fixed frequency-to-place assignments, then device complexity is reduced, but sound perception becomes unnatural and uncomfortable for recipients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency-to-place assignment that automatically adapts to the recipient's neural response characteristics. The system transitions from static, fixed mappings to dynamic, responsive mappings that evolve based on measured neural feedback, thereby improving sound perception quality while managing complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis system performs self-adjustment by measuring neural responses and automatically modifying frequency-to-place assignments without requiring manual reprogramming by clinicians. This self-service capability improves operational ease while containing complexity within the automated adaptation algorithm.
2Productivity
If the prosthesis adapts quickly to target settings, then productivity of adaptation process is improved, but recipient comfort decreases due to rapid changes
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptation process is segmented into multiple incremental stages rather than a single abrupt change. The system divides the transition from initial to target frequency-to-place assignments into smaller steps, allowing the recipient's neural system to adjust gradually, thereby maintaining comfort while achieving adaptation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptation speed is dynamically adjusted based on recipient feedback and neural response measurements. The system accelerates adaptation when tolerance is demonstrated and slows down when discomfort is detected, optimizing both productivity and comfort through real-time dynamic control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individualized adaptation models are implemented, then adaptability to recipient-specific characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback loops that measure neural responses and use this information to automatically adjust frequency-to-place assignments. This feedback mechanism enables individualized adaptation to recipient-specific characteristics while managing complexity through automated closed-loop control rather than manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis performs self-customization by automatically determining optimal frequency-to-place assignments based on measured neural responses. This eliminates the need for complex manual programming and clinician expertise, thereby achieving high adaptability while containing complexity within the automated system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adjustments are made to operational settings, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time for recalibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic, real-time adjustments without requiring external recalibration procedures. By eliminating the need for manual intervention and external equipment, the system achieves high adaptability while minimizing time loss, as adjustments occur continuously in the background during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are techniques for adapting/transitioning operation of a medical prosthesis, such as an auditory prosthesis, from a first or initial group of settings to a second or target group of settings. The adaptation in the operation of the medical prosthesis from the first group of settings to the second group of settings occurs over a period of time and in a series of individualized (recipient-specific) incremental steps. That is, the adaptation process occurs in incremental steps that are set based on attributes/characteristics of the recipient of the specific medical prosthesis so that the adaptation is made as unobtrusive to the recipient as possible.